Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~W094/11990 21~823~ PCr/KR93/OOlOo
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPROGRA~ING
A VIDEO CASSETTE RECQRDER
TECHNICAL FIELD QF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video assette
recorder ~"VCR") having a rechargeable battery for use in the
event of a severance of electric power supply so as to enable
the preprogramming information stored in the VCR to survive
lG and further having a capability of performing timer-
controlled preprogramming in a simple and efficient manner.
'
BACK~ROUND.ART
Nowadays, most VCRs are provided with the capability of
recording a desired television~ broadcast program at a
designated time for a certain duration under the control of
a timer. In order to set up the VCR to record the desired TV
broadcast program in advance, various preprogramming
information must be inputted through a series of operations
which may comprise: fixing time data in the order of month,
day and year in t,he,timer to designate when~the recording of
the desired program is to be carried out; setting a recording
start time and a recording end time; selecting any one of
tape running speeds, i.e., "SP(Standard Playback)", "LP(Long
Playback)" and "EP~Extended Playback)"; selecting a TV
2 ~)8g6~ o ~ PCI/I~K93/001~,
channel through which the desired broadcast program is to be
received; and then pressing a RECORD key on the VCR or a
remote control unit.
If any of the operations is erroneously carried out, the
desired broadcast program cannot be recorded correctly; and,
the above series of complex operations makes the prior art
method rather vulnerable to such an error.
In order to simplify and accurately perform the timer-
controlled preprogramming, therefore, there are proposed
several techniques in the art, including the one disclosed in
PCT/US89/05806 filed on December 16, 1989, wherein the task
OI preprogramming is simplified through the use of encoded
informatinn which is referred to as'a "G-code~ made of, e.g.,
7 digits. This method of preprogramming is accomplished by
looking up a G-code printed in a TV program guide and
entering the G-code instead of t~e channel, date, time and
length (CDTL) data. When the G-code is entered, it is
converted into the CDTL information by a G-code decoder
incorporated in the VCR.
While the G-code method is capable of providing a
shortened preprogramming precedure, it suffers from a lack of
flexibility asl its utility entirely depends on the
availability and accuracy printed in the media. Furthermore,
should there be a change in the printed television program,
the given G-code cannot be used.
On the other hand, the VCR may be subjected to a power
~ W094/11990 2148~33 PCI/ICR93/00100
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failure, or may be deplugged or disconnected from the power
source by the user. Against these situationsl particularly
in preparation for the power failure, most VCRs having a
timer-controlled preprogramming feature are provided with
means, e.g., a capacitor, for keeping alive the timer and the
preprogramming information stored in a memory which can be
erased at the time of power failure. Howeverl since the
duration of information compensation by the capacitor is
confined to a short period of timel e.g., one or two hours,
~ 10 a discontinuation of power supply for a longer while than the
compensation duration may result in the loss of the stored
information.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It isl~thereforel an object ~of the invention to provide
an improved VCR having a back-up battery so as to save the
preprogramming information stored in the VCR in case of a
power failure.
Another object of the invention is to provide an
improved VCR capable of performing timer-controlled
preprogramming in a simplified and flexible manner.
In accordance with the present invention, there is
provided an improved VCR having a rechargeable battery and a
preprogramming apparatus capable of recording a desired TV
broadcast program in a simplified fashion. Specifically, the
21~82~'J
- WO 94/11990 ` ` ~ PCT/KR93/00 ~ !~
-- 4
preprogramming apparatus sets up a set o~ initial
preprogramming information including a recording channel, a
predetermined recording tape speed, a recording start time
and a reccrding end time necessary to record the desired TV
program, wherein the initial recording channel is set to a
channel through which a broadcast program is currently
received, the initial recording start time is set to a
current time indicated on a timer, and the initial recording
end time is set to a time determined by adding a
- 10 predetermined period of time to the recording start time. In
acorrdance with the present invention, when necessary, it is
possible to update the recording start time to the actual
start time of the desired program~ the recording end time,
the recording tape ~peed, and the recording channel.
Further, the bac~-up battery serves to save the time data set
up in the timer and the preprogramming information stored in
the memory in case of an electricity failure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF_THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description
of preferred em~odiments with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which: ¦
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a VCR capable of
performing timer preprogramming in accordance wlth the ¦
~ WO 94/11990 214 8 2 3 3 PCT/KR93/00100
present invention;
Figs. 2 is a plan view of a remote control unit which
produces operation signals to the system controller shown in
Fig. 1;
Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are flow charts illustrating the
operation of the system controller shown in Fig. 1,
respectively; and
Figs. 7A, 7B and 7C are display patterns developed on a
screen during the timer preprogramming.
- 10
Referring to Fig. 1, there is-shown a VCR having basic
components required to carry out timer-controlled
preprogramminy in accordance with the present invention.
They are: a system controller 10, a timer 15, a tuner 20, a
recording/playback circuit 25, an OSD(on screen display)
generator 35, a key matrix 55 and a receiver 60.
The system controller 10, which may be implemented with
a microcomputer, includes a microprocessor 11, a read only
memory(ROM) 12 in which various programs are stored, a random
access memory (RAM) 13 to store data and preprogramming
information that may be changed or updated during the
operation of the microprocessor 11, and an input/output
port(not shown).
The timer 15 includes a real time clock which is
WO9~/11990 PCT/KR93/~01 ~ .
normally pro~ided in the VCR to offer time and date
information. The tuner 20 is provided with necessary
circuits Eor receiving a TV broadcast program in a known ,
manner. Under the control of the system controller 10, any
oneiof the broadcast programs selected by the tuner 20 can be
reserved or preset for preprogrammed recording.
The recording/playback apparatus 25 connected to the
system controller 10 employs a mechanism which peirforms
various mechanical functions for the VCR. The mechanical
- 10 functions may include loading and unloading of a videotape,
recording of video signals on the tape, reproduction of the
video signals recorded on the videotape and the like.
The OSD generator 35 genera~es dlsplay patterns for the
display of preprogramming information on a television screen
~` lS (not shown) which may be conventionally connected to the VCR
in accordance with a display algorlthm which prompts the user
to enter the preprogramming data through the operation of the
keys on the remote control unit 50 or on the key matrix 55.
~ The key matrix 55 bullt in the VCR may have a n~umber of ~
;;~ 2~ keys which may be the same as those in the remote control ~ e
unit 50 which will ~e fully discussed hereinafter.
The tape speed selector 60, which may be a capstan motor
for controlling the tape speed, serves to select any one mode
o~f the avaiIable~tape runnlng speeds such~as SP;, LP and EP
modes;under~a control of the system controller 10.
Connected to the system~controller 10 is a reoelver 65
~ WO94/11990 2 1 4 8 2 3 3 PCT/KR93/00100
. .
which receives a command signal transmitted from the remote
control unit 50 and converts it to an electrical signal for
the system controller lO.
In accordance with the present invention, built in the
VCR is an auxiliary voltage supply 40, which is coupled to a
main power supply (for the sake of simplicity, the main power
supply is omitted in Fig. l), for use to compensate an
interruption of power supply in the event of, e.g., a power
failure. The auxiliary voltage supply 40 i.ncludes a
rectifier 42 to rectify an AC input to the VCR, a reverse
current blocking diode Dl connected to the rectifier 42, a
rechargeable battery 46 and an overcharge prevention resistor
Rl for the rechargeable battery 46.-The rechargeable battery
46, which may be of a nikel-cadmium(NiCd) battery, is
actuated at a time when the AC input is interrupted due to
the power failure or disconnectio~ and maintains the timer 15
and the system controller lO to save the time data in the
timer lS and the preprogramming information stored in the RAM
13.
As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the remote control unit S0
has a reservation key 52, a channel selection key 54, a tape
speed selection key 56 and updating keys including a
recording start time increment(+) and decrement(-) keys 62
and 64 and a recording end time increment(+) and decrement(-)
keys 66 and 68 together with a plurality of such other keys
as numeric keys 72 and operation keys 74.
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WO 94/11990 PCT/KR93/001
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The reservation key 52 functions to generate a signal
indicative of the recording commencement or completion when
it is pressed. In response to the recording commencement
si~nal generated when the reservation key 52 is operated, the
system controller 10 simultaneously sets up or "initializes'
the preprogramming information including a recording channel,
a tape speed, a recording start time and a recording end
time, as follows: the initial recording channel is set to the
channel of a broadcast program currently received by the
tuner 20, the initial tape speed is set to any one of the
available tape speeds such as SP, LP and EP modes, and the
initial recording start time is set to a current time
lndicated on the timer 15. And the initial recording end
time is set to a time that is defined by adding a
predetermined duration of recording to the recording start
time.
While the initialization is carried out by simDly
pressing the reservation key 52 once, it may be necessary to
individually fit or adjust the initial recording start time
and the initial recording end tim~ to the actual broadcast
schedule of a desired broadcast program for recording. The
recording start~ time ;and the recording end ~ime can be
updated or adjusted through the use of the start time
increment(+)/ decrement(-) keys 62 and 64 and the end time
increment(+)/ decrement(-) keys 66 and 68, respectively. The
start time increment(~) key 62 is used to delay the recording
WO94/11990 214 ~ 2 3 3 PCT/KR93~00100
start time from the current time, while the start time
decrement(-) key 64 is used to step up the delayed recording
start time. That is, the start time decrement(-) key 64 may
be used to reverse or correct the start time erroneously
delayed by the operation of the start time increment(+) key
62. Thereafter, the recording end time will be automatically
adjusted or updated to a new end time defined by the
predetermlned duration of recording (T1) added to the updated
start time.
Or, the end time adjustment keys including the end time
increment(+) and decrement(-) keys 66 and 68 may be employed
to further adjust the recording end time to an actual end
time of the desired broadcast program.
Further, in accordance with the present invention, it is
possible to update the recording channel and the tape speed
through the use of the-channel selection key 54 and the tape
speed selection key 56 as well known in the art,
respectively.
After updating the recording start time, end time,
channel and tape speed, the reservation key S2 is pressed
once again so as to signify the completion of the
preprogramming process in accordance with the present
invention.
The simplified recording operation described above will
now be explained in further details with reference to Figs.
3 t~ 6.
~1~823 ~
W094/11990 PCT/KR93/001
- 10 -
As shown in Fig. 3, the simplified recording process ir.
accordance with the invention directly begins by simply
pressing the reservation key 52. When the reservation key 52
is pressed in step Sl, the process proceeds to step S2 where
the system controller 10 "initializes" the preprogramming
information including the recording channel, the tape speed
and the recording start time. The initial recording channel
will be a channel through which a TV program is being
currently received by the tuner 20, the initial recording
tape speed will be any one of the tape speeds, for example,
LP mode, and the initial recording start time will be the
current time which is read from the timer 15.
And then, the process proceeds to step S3, wherein the
system controller lO sets the recording end time by adding
the predetermined duration of recording(Tl) to the initial
start time. The predetermined dus~tion of recording(Tl) may
correspond to a program length, e.g., two hours.
As described above, it should be appreciated that the
initialization of the preprogramming information is
automatically done by simply pressing the reservation key 5~
once. The above procedure helps to save the time needed to
input four or more pieces of preprogramming information as is
done in other types of VCR systems.
Since it is not possible to record a desired program to
- 25 be broadcast in a future with the recording start time set to
the current time, the initial preprogramming information in
~ ` W 0 94/11990 21~823:3 PCT/hR93/00100
such case is, therefore, updated in accordance with the
following procedure. In stép S4, it is determined whether the
start time increment(+) key 62 is to be pressed. If positive,
the process goes to step S5. In step S5, the start time is
incremented by a time interval(T2) each time the start time
increment(+) key 62 is pressed until it reaches the desired
start time. ;
After adjusting the start time in step S5, the process
returns to step S3 where the updated end time is determind
~ 10 by adding the predetermined duration of recording (Tl) to the
updated skart time.
In step S4, if it is determined that the start time
increment (~) key 62 is not to be pressed, the process
proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the system controller 10
determines whether the reservation key 52 is to be pressed or
not. If positive, the process prqFeeds to step S7. If it is
not to be pressed, the proceess passes to step S8 through a
tab A.
In step S7, in response to the preprogramming completion
signal generated by the operation of the reservation key 52
second time, the system controller 10 stores the
preprogramming information including the updated start time,
the updated end time, the channel and the tape speed in the
RAM 13. Consequently, the preprogrammed recording procedure
in accordance with the present invention is economically
accomplished with only the three steps of operation by
W094/11990 PCT/KR93/001~
214823~ ~
- 12 -
pressing the reservation key 52, the start time updating kev
62, and again the reservation key 52, in that order.
As described above, the start time is updated with the
operation of the start time increment(+) key 62. However, in
case where the updated start time is past the time to commence
the recording of the desired broadcast program, it will be
required to reverse the late start time.
Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the procedure to
restore or reverse the late start time.
In step S8, the system controller 10 determines whether
the start time decrement(-) key 64 is to be pressed or not.
If not, the process proceeds to step S12 in Fig. 5 through a
tab C. However, if the-start time decrement(-) key 64 need be
pressed, the process proceeds to step S9 to back up or reverse
the start time by a time interval(T3) each time the start time
decrement (-) key 64 is pressed~ It may be desirable to
program the time intervals(T2 and T3) to be several minutes,
for example, 5 and 3 minutes respectively, for the purpose of
a quick adjustment.
However, in case where the reversed start time in step
S9 is earlier than the current time indicated on the timer 15,
the preprogrammed recording cannot be accomplished.
Therefore, the start time should be set on or after the
current time read from-the timer 15.
Accordingly, in step S10, it is checked whether the
reversed start time is earlier than the current time. If not,
~' WO 94~ 90 21~ ~ 2 3 3 PCT/KR93/00100
~ ,~ ',ie,t,~
13 -
the process returns to step S3 through the tap B. Otherwise,
the process proceeds to step S11 where the system.controller
10 sets the current time indicated on the timer 15 as the
recording start time and then the process returns to step S3
through the tab B.
If necessary, it is also possible in step 11 to set the
start time to the updated start time as in step S5.
On the other hand, as described in step S3, there is
always the predetermined duration of recording (T1) between
the recording start time and the recording end t.ime. Thus,
there is no problem if the predetermined duration of recording
(T1) is equal to the l~ngth of the desired broadcast program.
However, if the predetermined duration of recording (T1)
is different from the length of the desired broadcast program,
the end time increment(+) and decrement(-) keys 66 and 68 are
used to adjust the recording end4time to an actual end time of
the desired broadcast program. A flow chart for the
adjustment of the recording end t:ime is shown in Fig. 5.
In step S12, the system controller 10 checks whether the
end time increment(+) key 66 or decrement(-) key 68 is to be
pressed or not. If the increment (+) key 66 or decrement ~-)
key 68 need be, pressed, the process proceeds to step S13;
otherwise, the process-flows to step S14 through a tab D. In
step S13, the end time is increased or decreased by a time
interval (T4) upon the pressing of the end time increment (+)
key 66 or the end time decrement(-) key 68. In accordance
2 i 4 8 i ~ 3 PCr/KR93/UOI~ ~ ~
- 14 -
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is
desirable to program the time interval (T2 or T3) used to
adjust the recording start time to be more precise or finer
than the time interval (T4) used to adjust the recoring end
time.
Turning now to Fig. 6, there is shown a flow chart for
updating the channel and the tape speed. In step S14, the
system controller lO checks whether the channel selection key
54 is to be pressed. When pressed, the system controller 10
- 10 causes the tuner 20 to change the recording channel to another
in step S15. Alternatively, the numeric key 72 may be used to
directly select the recording channel as well known in the
art.
In step Sl4, if the key 54 need not be pressed, the
process proceeds to step S16 and the system controller lO
checks whether the tape speed selection key 56 is to be
pressed or not.
In step S16, if the speed selection key 56 is required to
be pressed, the process proceeds to step S17 and the system
controller 10 causes the tape speed selector 60 to change the
tape speed to another. If the speed selection key 56 need not
be pressed, the process returns to step S6 through the tab B
and the entire procedure for timer-controlled preprogramming
becomes completed by pressing the reservation key 52 once
again. At the same time, all of the newly updated
preprogramming information is stored in the RAM 13; and the
WO94/11990 21 4 8 2 3 3 PCT/KR93/00100
VCR enters into a stand-by mode until the recording starts.
Fig. 7 exemplifies display patterns which may be
displayed on the television screen by the OSD generator 35.
The system controller 10 controls the OSD generator 35 to
generate an OSD signal corresponding to an original display
pattern including such letters as TIMER RESERVATION, CHANNEL,
TAP~ SPEED, DATE, START TIME and END TIME in the order shown
in Fig. 7A when the reservation key S2 is pressed as in step
Sl(see Fig. 3).
Fig. 7B shows an exemplary display pattern generated when
the start time increment(+) key 62 is pressed as in step S4,
indicating that the date, the recording start time and the end
time are changed.
Fig. 7C illustrates a representative display pattern
generated when the keys 66, 54 and 56 are pressed,
respectively, as in steps S12, S~4 and S16, indicating that
the recording end time, the channel and the tape speed are
further changed from the information displayed in Fig. 7B
respectively.
While the present invention, has been described with
respect to the particular embodiments, it will be apparent to
those skilled ~in, the art that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
and the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
